Hope for the Day: The cancer of sin

Thursday

Apr 24, 2014 at 3:55 PM

I recently underwent a major surgery that was unexpected. I am relatively healthy and looked fine on the outside, but there were dangerous things silently growing on the inside that I didn't know about. Eventually some symptoms appeared that caused me to seek medical attention.

Diane Houghtaling

I recently underwent a major surgery that was unexpected. I am relatively healthy and looked fine on the outside, but there were dangerous things silently growing on the inside that I didn’t know about. Eventually some symptoms appeared that caused me to seek medical attention. A sonogram revealed numerous tumors and cysts growing within that could be potentially dangerous. If left unchecked they could eventually lead to cancer and death so they had to be removed. I thank God they were benign. As deadly as cancer can be to the body, we may also have a silent killer growing within that can destroy the soul. We may not realize that deadly sin is growing within. But eventually symptoms will begin to appear that indicate a problem within. When we begin to grumble and complain, have anger issues, bitterness or a negative, bad attitude, it is time for a checkup. We need a sonogram on our hearts to see what’s growing inside. We can ask the Lord to search our hearts and see if there is any wicked, offensive ways within (see Psalm 139:23-24). We cannot hide and conceal sin in our hearts forever. “You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” What does sin look like? The New Living Translation of Galatians 5:19-21 says, “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Once we discover sin growing within, it must be removed by repentance, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Sin left unchecked will lead to eternal death. Romans 6:23 continues, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God has made a way to remove the sin from our hearts so we can spend eternity in His presence. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead opened a way for us to receive forgiveness of sin and the free gift of salvation. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” We do not have to be defeated and destroyed by the silent killer of sin. As we acknowledge the sin growing within, confess and repent of it, we receive forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 845-482-5300.

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